Turntable and cartridge setup known for a marvelous bottom end.


I could use some advice. I am thinking on upgrading my Pro-Ject Classic turntable and Hana SH cartridge. My speakers are Monitor Audio Gold 300's. They go down to 30 which isn't quite a subwoofer spec, but because they are so darn close, I really don't want to complement them with one.

 

What I am thinking is rather that getting a sub, with your help I would upgrade my turntable setup with a turntable and cartridge that has been proven to have a wonderful bottom end.

So far my only guides have been the end of year rating in the audiophile magazines. For the most part these guides are over the place.

The only turntable that shows up in all the audiophile magazines is the very affordable Rega P-10. They all report that it is a splendid turntable, but not once have I heard of anyone marveling over its bottom end. I'd like to keep the $$$ down to around 10 grand. Thanks for your help.

 

The phono stage is Parasound JC3+ going to a Benchmark LA 4 pre-amp to a Benchmark AHB2 power amp.

Thanks

 

marshinski15

well, you want to avoid a bloated low end. are you chasing something that isn’t there, and shouldn’t be?

best arm/plinth/spinner in the world should not be adding a bottom end, or anything for that matter, purpose is to prevent all problems, and to properly transmit fidelity.

CARTRIDGE

I’ve never heard one, but the Hana SH cartridge specs are certainly excellent, and if the low content is there, it should be sending it ...

Is it broken in, stylus/cantilever/suspension not worn/dried out, do you have the skills, tools, and are you confidenct that it is properly aligned in every way? Tightly fastened to Arm? Headshell rigid and rigidly fastened?

 

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Is it possible the cartridge is defective?

Perhaps change only the cartridge first!

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Have you asked Project for their advice about this?

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After that, if still in search of, I would try to determine suspected weak link

Then Arm, everything tight? are the vibrations getting down the line?

Arm to Plinth solid

Plinth not absorbing lows?

Phono cable (caution, my expensive one made zero difference) better ’protection’ from interference that doesn’t exist gets you nothing except less $.

 

 

 

 

I like the Technics 1200G and the Pickering XSV 3000.  Nice analog sound with very good bottom end.

I am not sure you have asked a "good" question, but my Stanton 981LZS has particularly excellent bass clarity and downward extension.  Really, low bass in the room will depend upon many many other factors, besides the cartridge and TT, not the least of which is the tonearm.

+1 @lewm 

i too was hesitant about a sub. My speakers are supposedly down to 20hz. It wasn't until I added a sub that I got the bass I was looking for. My point is, just because the specs say so doesn't mean it produces it at a level that you like. You will need to do more than change TT's & cartridges. Bite the bullet and get a  Rel sub which integrates very good and enhances your speakers output as well. Just my opinion

 

If you really want a terrific bottom end it doesn'y cost anywhere near ten grand but it does involve 4 subs. $3k will get you there easy. And I know, because I have that terrific bottom end- both the speakers and the cart/turntable. Which by the way you left out the other key ingredient, the phono stage. 

I just upgraded from Koetsu Black Goldline / Herron VTPH2A to Soundsmith Strain Gauge and it is head and shoulders better in every way except the bottom end. Koetsu/Herron simply was fabulous. Will be upgrading the power supply to hopefully get me there. 

This is all by way of explaining everything matters. You could get my Koetsu/Herron, we know it produces absolutely superb bottom end. With just your two speakers however you will hear only a fraction of it. I know. My Moab have superb bass. Probably because the woofers are so far apart. "Distributed" being the key word in Distributed Bass Array. Even so, turn on the subs, it is a whole different experience. Not so much because "more" but mostly because better.

If you go this route do yourself a favor and disregard the "get a sub" people. One sub, or even two, only worth doing if en route to four. Do your research. You will find the only ones arguing with that have no experience on which to argue. While every single one of us who has a DBA knows.

Hopefully you can take all that put it together and figure out what will work for you.